HELLER
EDWARD MAX HELLER died Tuesday, February 12, 2013, at Ochsner Medical Center of
Parkinson's Disease and complications from pneumonia. He was 86 years old.
Mr. Heller, a graduate of Harvard and Tulane law schools, was an accomplished attorney, who
was described as the "Dean of the Louisiana Bankruptcy Bar." During his career, he handled a
number of high-profile cases, including the bankruptcy reorganization of the 1984 Louisiana
World Exposition.
Mr. Heller, the son of Isaac Scherck Heller and Mildred Harris Heller, was born in New Orleans
on April 5, 1926.
A graduate of one of the first classes of Metairie Park Country Day School, he later attended the
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he graduated Phi Beta Kappa. He was a
member of Phi Delta Phi legal fraternity as well as Pi Lamda Phi and Pi Tau Pi.
After law school, Mr. Heller returned to New Orleans to practice with his father, Isaac, in the firm
Heller & Heller. He ended his more than six-decade practice of law in the firm Heller, Draper.
Mr. Heller served as chairman of the board of the Louisiana Health Service and Indemnity
Company (Blue Cross of Louisiana), President of the Jewish Welfare Federation of New
Orleans and the Harvard Law School Association of Louisiana. He also served on the board of
directors of the Metairie Park Country Day School, the Community Chest, Congregation Temple
Sinai and the United Way.
Throughout his life, Mr. Heller excelled as a craftsman, model-builder of boats and trains, and
sailor of small boats. His operational replica of an early 20th century Thames River steam tug
was featured on the cover of "Ships in Scale." His work with mosaic tiles, including a Byzantine-
style portrait of him and his wife, Sandra, attracted coverage in the Times-Picayune. And he
pursued his love of sailing small craft - Hobie Cats and Sunfish - to the end of his life.
Mr. Heller is survived by his wife, Sandra Peilen Heller; four daughters, Karen Ann Heller, wife
of Robert Becker, Sally Jane Heller, Mildred Edith Denegre, wife of George Denegre Jr., and
Barbara Josi Heller. He is also survived by four grandchildren: Isabelle Harris Meyers, Edward
George Denegre, Mathilde Alma Denegre and Tobias Santo Heller.
Mr. Heller's beloved brother, Theo Heller, preceded him in death.
Services will be held at Temple Sinai, 6227 St. Charles Ave., on Friday, Feb. 15, at 12:00 Noon,
followed by a reception. Rabbi Edward Paul Cohn will officiate. Friends may call from 11:00 A.M.
until time of service at the synagogue. Private interment will be held at Hebrew Rest Cemetery No 3.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Metairie Park Country Day School, Temple
Sinai or the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Grand Central Station P.O. Box 4777, New York, NY 10163-4777.
THARP-SONTHEIMER FUNERAL HOME of Metairie in charge of arrangements. Condolences may be expressed online at www.tharpsontheimer.com. Information, please call (504) 835-2341
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
February 25, 2013
John Runningen
I remember when my wife Michele Trivigno and I sat near you at the NO Symphony for many years, and the wonderful stories Pat & Helen would tell about your children at Country Day and Millie Heller's advice about an eventual wedding in their Marengo Street House. It all came to pass. I know Ed will be missed but his memories will be cherished by all and Pat is already in heaven to greet him.
February 18, 2013
Sandy Heller
I love reading your beautiful comments. They have meant so much to me at this difficult time. We miss Edward enormously.
February 17, 2013
Beth Orgeron
My Dearest Sandy,
I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers and love are with you and your family.
February 16, 2013
John Cleveland
Sandy, sorry to miss attending the funeral with Lin. Edward was a very superior outstanding man. A great loss to the community and his family. My deepest condolences. John Cleveland
February 16, 2013
Mary Lou Christovich
Remembering wonderful Country Day carpools, the Christovich family sends condolences to Sandra and her four beautiful, talented daughters.
Mary Lou, Terry, Kitten, Michael, and Jeffrey Christovich
February 15, 2013
DEAR SANDY,AND FAMILY,
WHAT A BLESSING TO HAVE KNOWN HIM..THRU OUR THEO,AND ROTARY...WHAT A JOY,WHAT A SMILE !!!!!!
OUR DEEPEST LOVE,AND PRAYERS,BITSY AND DAVID DUGGINS
February 15, 2013
Simon Shlenker III
Sandy we send our sympathy in you loss. Edward was a
wonderful asset to all he came in contact with.
Love, Mimi and Skippy Shleker
February 15, 2013
Karen Anklam
Sandy, you are in my thoughts. I enjoyed reading about Mr. Heller, he sounds like a lovely person.
February 15, 2013
Michael Hayden
Riverside Lumber extends to the Heller family our sympathy. A fine gentleman.
February 15, 2013
Louise Reichman
Dear Sandy, please accept my deepest sympathy for your loss. I have many fond memories of Mr. Heller. I will never forget him, his kindness, or his sense of humor. The world has lost one of its few true gentlmen. I wish I had known of your loss before today; I would certainly have been there to pay my respects in person.
February 15, 2013
eileen wallen
we wish to extend our deepest condolences on the loss
May his memory be a blessing to all that knew and loved him
February 15, 2013
Louise Reichman
Sandy, I am so sorry for your loss. My prayers are with you and your family. I have such wonderful memories of Mr. Heller from the time that I worked with him. He was a gentleman in every sense of the word. I will never forget him, his kindness, and his wonderful sense of humor.
February 15, 2013
Audrey and Danny Buckman
Dear Sandy and family, Please accept our deepest sympathy.Be proud of his accomplishments, he will be well remembered.
February 14, 2013
Theresa Alonso
My prayers are with you doing this difficult time. I only knew Mr. Heller for 6 years while I was employed at Heller Draper. He was the sweetest man and extremely polite. Heaven has another angel. Theresa Alonso
February 14, 2013
many fond memories of all the hellers. our love and prayers for mr. heller and all of his girls. xo libby and bruce hoefer
February 14, 2013
Staff of Tharp-Sontheimer-Tharp Funeral Home
Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.
February 14, 2013
Mimi and Simon Shlenker III
Our deepest sympathy in your loss.
Mimi and Simon Shlenker
Showing 1 - 17 of 17 results
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